ABM driver dominates Round 4 with pole position, two race wins and a major championship statement

Paul Cauhaupé produced a near-perfect performance at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours during the fourth round of the 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup France season, securing pole position before converting his qualifying advantage into two race victories across the August 1–2 weekend.

In a championship renowned for its competitive depth and exceptionally close racing, Cauhaupé delivered exactly the kind of weekend every driver dreams of: outright pace in qualifying, flawless execution in both races, and maximum points secured for the championship fight.

The ABM driver arrived at Magny-Cours looking to strengthen his position in the title battle and left having made one of the strongest statements of the 2026 season so far. From the opening laps of the weekend, Cauhaupé established himself as the benchmark, combining the raw speed required to take pole position with the consistency and race management needed to convert that advantage into victories.

The result was a complete performance that demonstrated not only the speed of Cauhaupé and the ABM Porsche 911 GT3 Cup package, but also the level of preparation and execution required to succeed in one of Europe’s most competitive one-make championships.

Cauhaupé Sets the Standard in Qualifying

The foundations for Cauhaupé’s dominant weekend were laid during qualifying, where the Frenchman produced a benchmark lap to secure pole position.

Magny-Cours is a circuit that rewards precision. Its combination of long straights, heavy braking zones and technical sections places significant demands on both driver and machinery. Small mistakes can quickly translate into lost lap time, making qualifying performance particularly important in a series where the field is often separated by fractions of a second.

Cauhaupé handled the pressure perfectly, extracting the maximum performance from his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup to start both races from the front of the grid.

Pole position provided the ideal opportunity, but in Carrera Cup racing a strong qualifying result is only the beginning. With highly experienced competitors behind him and multiple classes competing on track simultaneously, maintaining control from the lead would require discipline and concentration.

Cauhaupé delivered exactly that.

Race 1: Cauhaupé Controls the Field from Lights to Flag

Saturday’s opening race confirmed that Cauhaupé’s qualifying pace was no coincidence.

Starting from pole position, the ABM driver made a clean getaway and immediately settled into the rhythm required to control the race. Rather than taking unnecessary risks, Cauhaupé managed the pace at the front, maintaining enough speed to keep his rivals behind while protecting his tyres for the closing stages.

The ability to control a Carrera Cup race from the front is a skill in itself. The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup rewards commitment, but aggressive driving can quickly compromise tyre performance and consistency. Cauhaupé demonstrated maturity throughout the race, keeping the car within its limits while ensuring his advantage was never seriously threatened.

Behind him, battles developed throughout the field as drivers fought for positions and valuable championship points. The close nature of the Porsche Carrera Cup France ensured that while the overall victory belonged to Cauhaupé, there was action throughout the grid.

At the chequered flag, Cauhaupé completed a commanding victory, giving ABM the perfect start to the weekend and placing himself in the strongest possible position heading into Sunday’s second race.

Race 2: A Complete Weekend Sealed with Another Victory

If Saturday demonstrated Cauhaupé’s ability to manage a race from the front, Sunday’s second encounter confirmed his complete control of the Magny-Cours event.

Again starting from the leading position, Cauhaupé executed the race exactly as required. A strong opening lap allowed him to avoid unnecessary battles and establish control before settling into a consistent pace.

As the race progressed, the ABM driver continued to demonstrate the qualities that separate championship contenders from race winners: precision, patience and the ability to deliver under pressure.

There was no repeat of the drama that often defines close Carrera Cup battles. Instead, Cauhaupé produced a composed and professional performance, taking the chequered flag to complete a perfect double victory.

The result represented a significant moment in his 2026 campaign. Pole position and two wins from one weekend not only delivered maximum points but also provided valuable momentum as the championship moved towards its decisive stages.

For ABM, the weekend represented one of the strongest team performances of the season.

Guillot Leads ABM’s Pro-Am Success

While Cauhaupé dominated the overall classification, ABM enjoyed success across multiple categories at Magny-Cours.

Marc Guillot delivered an equally impressive weekend in the Pro-Am category, claiming victories in both races.

The Pro-Am class continues to be one of the most competitive areas of the Porsche Carrera Cup France grid, featuring experienced drivers capable of producing extremely strong performances. Guillot’s consistency throughout the weekend allowed him to secure maximum points and reinforce ABM’s strength across the championship.

His performances placed him ahead of key rivals, including Jérôme Boullery, who remained one of the leading challengers in the category.

The double Pro-Am victory meant ABM had even more reason to celebrate after leaving Magny-Cours with success in both the overall and supporting classifications.

Am Category Produces Its Own Stories

The Am category added another layer of competition throughout the weekend, with several drivers fighting for class honours.

Cyril Saleilles and Éric Debard shared the victories, with each driver taking a class win during the two races.

Sunday also produced a memorable moment for rookie driver Malo Bolliet, who secured his first class victory in Porsche Carrera Cup France competition.

For any young driver competing in a championship of this level, a maiden victory represents a major achievement. Bolliet’s result highlighted the depth of talent within the series and demonstrated the competitive nature of the Am category.

Heavy Incidents and Race Drama at Magny-Cours

Although the weekend belonged to Cauhaupé on the results sheet, the Magny-Cours meeting was not without its challenges.

One of the most significant incidents involved Loïc Teïre of GP Racing Team, who suffered a heavy lateral impact during Saturday’s action.

The accident registered a 22G impact, highlighting the severity of the crash. Following medical examinations by the circuit doctors, Teïre was ruled out of Sunday’s Race 2 after reporting back pain.

The incident served as a reminder of the demands placed on drivers in modern GT racing and the importance of circuit safety procedures.

The Am category also produced controversy following Saturday’s race involving Henry Hassid and Éric Debard.

Hassid’s on-track collision with Debard affected the outcome of the race, and following a post-race review, Hassid received a penalty that cost him the victory. The decision demonstrated the importance of stewarding decisions in championship racing, where incidents can have significant consequences for both race results and title ambitions.

Sunday brought further frustration for Hassid when he suffered an off-track excursion during Race 2, preventing him from recovering the lost ground.

The final race of the weekend also ended with late drama when Charles Roussanne and Macéo Capietto made contact on the final lap while battling for position.

The incident highlighted the intensity of Carrera Cup competition, where drivers continue fighting until the very last corner.

Championship Implications: Cauhaupé Emerges as a Major Contender

The Magny-Cours weekend could prove to be a turning point in the 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup France championship.

By achieving pole position and winning both races, Cauhaupé demonstrated the complete package required to challenge for the title. Speed alone is not enough in a championship of this level; drivers must combine qualifying performance, race intelligence, consistency and the ability to avoid mistakes.

At Magny-Cours, Cauhaupé delivered all four.

The performance also highlighted the strength of ABM as a team. With victories in both the overall classification and Pro-Am category, the squad demonstrated competitiveness across multiple areas of the grid.

As the championship continues, the pressure will increase. Rivals will be looking for opportunities to close the gap, and maintaining this level of performance across future rounds will be the ultimate challenge.

However, after a flawless weekend in central France, Cauhaupé leaves Magny-Cours with confidence, momentum and a strong argument as one of the leading contenders for the 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup France crown.

The message from the weekend was clear: when everything came together, Paul Cauhaupé and ABM were the combination to beat.